Car lighting structure



Oct. 9, 1951 Afl.. ARENBERG" ETAL 2,570,907

, CAR LIGHTING STRUCTURE Filed- April l2, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l 06f 9,1951v A. L. ,LxRENEsERGl ETAL 2,570,907

CAR LIGHTING STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 4l2, 1947INVNT'oIzs.

Patented Oct. 9, 1951 CAR LIGHTING STRUCTURE Albert L. Arenberg,Highland Park, and Edward C. Zimmerman, Wnnetka, Ill., assignors toPatent License Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of IllinoisApplication April 12, 1947, Serial No. 741,122

3 Claims. (Cl. 240-7.35)

'of the type described extending longitudinally of a vehicle or otherinterior and presenting a continuous, relatively uninterruptedappearance, While avoiding exposed transverse connecting means orsupports.

Another object is to provide an elongated illuminating structure orxture of the type described, fabricated, insofar as the lighttransmissive paneling thereof is concerned, from commercially availableunits, each of a length but a small part of the overall length of thestructure, yet so related and assembled in the structure as to presentan uninterrupted and attractive eX- ternal appearance, and to interfereto a minimum extent With the transmission of light from an internalsource.

Yet another object is to provide an elongated fixture suitable for thediffused and flooded illumination of interiors of the type described,along with the provision of downwardly focussed reading beams, ifdesired, which is made up of a plurality of light transmissive units orsections of commercially practical sizie and length along with asupporting structure of simple, inexpensive character for mounting saidsections to extend end-to-end lengthwise of the vehicle in alongitudinally extended but continuous and uninterrupted fashion.

A still further specific object is to provide a built-up, multiple panelfixture of the above type including improved and simplified means toseal the component panels thereof at their adjacent meeting surfacesagainst entry and accumulation of dust.

Another object is to provide an improved light transmissive sectionadapted for association as a component of a multiple section panellingin an illuminating assembly of the foregoing type.

The foregoing statements are indicative in a general Way of the natureof the invention, but other and more specific objects Will be apparentto those skilled in the art upon a full understanding of theconstruction and operation of the device.

A single embodiment of the invention is presented herein for purpose ofexemplifcation, but it Will be appreciated that the invention issusceptible of incorporation in other modified forms coming equallywithin the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective, generally illustrating thearrangement and appearance of the lighting fixture of the presentinvention as operatively assembled in an interior, for example, alongthe ceiling or deck on one side of a vehicle or car;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in transverse section further illustratingdetails of construction and arrangement of the fixture, includingmounting and supporting provisions;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal sec.- tion through aplurality of the assembled light transmissive units, generallyillustrating the means for dust-sealing the structure, certain of thecoacting parts being removed for clarity;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating details ofconstruction of the light transmissive unit or panel at the end thereofwhich enable the assembly thereof in close end-to-end relation ascontemplated by the invention;

Fig. 5 is a View in transverse section through the light panel andassociated structure of the invention in accordance with a somewhatmodified embodiment thereon, the section being taken on a line generallycorresponding to line 5 5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a view in longitudinal central section through the assembly ona line corresponding to line 6--6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional View taken on line 'l--l of Fig. 6;and

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of a component strap attaching element orpad of the embodiment of Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

This invention provides an improved structure for the floodlighting ofinteriors, particularly bus, Streetcar, railway car, subway and likeelongated vehicle interiors although, as the description proceeds itwill be evident that the provisions thereof are also applicablegenerally. As stated above, the invention affords a continuous,externally uninterrupted, elongated structure, unmarred by externalbraces or transverse supporting elements. Furthermore, the inventionmakes it possible to readily produce fixtures of consider,- able lengthi. e., six feet long or more, notwithstanding the fact that practicallimitations in the manufacture of cast and pressed illuminating sectionsof glass or like light transznissive ware render it impractical toproduce the same in individual lengths of more than, say, 12 to 20inches. To this end, the invention involves the modification of suchcast or pressed sections in a manner to enable their association in aclose end-to-end relation, along with means to seal the sections at theadjacent end meeting points thereof and render the same dust-tight.Since an elongated fluorescent tube is employed above theV sections andis therefore concealed thereby, the assembly of sections may be madepractically as long as desired, without danger of collecting dust insidethe same, with a smooth and relatively continuous, uninterruptedexternal surface appearance possessing much eye appeal.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral l,for purpose ofillustration, designates the ceiling or an overhanging deck of a street,railway or subway car, or any other vehicle or related interiorstructure to which it is desired to apply the assembly of the invention.This surface may be considered to represent, broadly and illustrase,

tively, any overhead supporting means whereon the fixture of theinvention is to be installed or applied. In the case of the vehiclesreferred to above, there will generally be two of the present assembliesextending longitudinally of the vehicle,

one on either side of a central aisle, although in some installationsmerely a single central unit may be provided, positioned verticallyabove said aisle.

The assembly is generally designated Il, and

comprises an internal or rear housing l2 receivable in a countersunk andapertured portion i3 of the deck or other supporting surface Ii?,projecting through outer and inner openings it, l5 respectively in thestructural sheet members constituting the same. This housing is securedin place permanently by screws l. The cover plate H of the fixture ishinged by-a continuous longitudinal, extruded hinge i3 to an outwardlyextending shoulder |9 of the housing I2, this cover plate having acontinuous, elongated rectangular opening 2G therein extending aconsiderable distance, i. e., in excess of six feet in someinstallations, lengthwise of the support Il). The light transmissivesections 2| are adpated to bev disposed in opening 2i).

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the aforesaid sections are elongated and ofupwardly opening, hollow dished sectional outline. They are fabricatedof molded glass or like molded or pressed ware, and may be treatedinteriorly throughout the transmitting area or the convex panel 22thereof as by frosting, to render the same diffusing in character.Alternatively, as illustrated in Fig. 2, they may be rendered diffusingalong portions adjoining the front and rear only of said panel, asindicated by the reference numeral 22A. This affords a laterally diiusedbeam at these areas effective to flood the adjacent ceiling and sidewall surfaces without subjecting passengers across the aisle to annoyingglare. The central area, denoted 22B, may then be left clear or lensedif desired, to provide for a condensed and intensiiied downwardlydirected reading beam. Other methods of treating panel 22 will suggestthen selves.

These sections 2| are ordinarily prepared in lengths of from 12 to 20inches, depending on the method of fabricating the same, inasmuch aspractical cost factors preclude economic manufacture in units of greaterlength. Each section is characterized by the aforesaid convex bottompanel 22 and the upstanding front and rear walls 23 at either side ofthe panel which are receivable in the opening 2S of the cover plate.Walls 23 terminate at their upper ends in laterally projecting,elongated, continuous marginal ledges or flanges 2li, which rest on thecontinuous, inwardly projecting lips of the cover plate adjacent theopening 2) therein, with strips of suitable packing or cushioningmaterial (not shown) interposed to prevent rattling or damage undervibration. At their ends, the sections 2l have integral, verticallyupstanding end walls 25, and it will be noted that the iianges 2li arecut away from side walls 23 adjacent these end walls, or areappropriately molded so'that the upper surface 2t of the wall 25 isrecessed substantially below the lower surface of the flanges 2t, for apurpose to be described. Between the flanges the wall edge is shapeddownwardly, as shown in Fig. 2.

In assembling the sections 2l they are placed inthe cover plate opening20 is close end-to-end relation to one another and are provided alongthe upper surface 2S of their end walls with individual transverse feltsealing or packing strips 2l `arranged lengthwise over and resting onsaid surfaces. Rigid metal clamping straps 23 of T section andcorresponding in outline to the surface 2S of the section are thenpositioned over the respective felt packing strips to hold the same inplace, said straps each having a depending division tongue 29 which liesbetween and separates the packing strips and the adjacent end walls 25of the sections 2 l. The thickness of the tongues 29 is small,permitting the sections to-be located in close, practically abutting,end-to-end relation.

The straps 23, positioned as described, are secured to the cover platel1 by screws 3'0 at the ends of the straps and threaded into themarginal lips 24 of the plate. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the straps 28,as well as the iianges 24 of the glass section, may be located andrestrained at their ends between upstanding ribs or fence members 3|spaced from the edges of the section-receiving opening 2E!Y in saidcover plate. They t snugly in the recessed space above the surfaces 25of the section walls 25 between the flanges 24 of adjacent sections and,in addition to efectively sealing the interior of each section, serve torestrain the section vertically and prevent rattling. The dependingtongue 2Q of the clamping strap intervening between the section walls 25separates the same Vto a slight extent, which is desirable to preventend contact of the sections, without detracting noticeably from thesmoothness and continuity of appearance of the assembled sections.

The reference numeral 32, in Fig. 2, designates conventionally a bracketand socket litting for the reception of an elongated iiuorescent tube,adapted to be mounted in any appropriate fashion relative to the innerhousing l2, whereby the tube extends longitudinally of the abovedescribed assembly of sections. A number of fluorescent tubes may bemounted lengthwise of the unit and a uniform lateral lioodlightingeffect results. These tube mounting provisions are not visible from theexterior, inasmuch as the sealed line of sections 2l is effectivelyshielded and conceals the same.

The hinge I8 enables the cover plate il, along with sections 2l and theholding straps 28, to be swung downwardly as a unit when desired,

for installation or replacement of the iiuorescent elements. It is heldin operative position along its opposed side by a plurality oflongitudinally spaced screws 33 4threa-ded into the flange of thehousing |2 and/or a portion of the support Hl, a felt cushioning andsealing strip 34 being interposed between the parts. A continuous,longitudinally extending vertically disposed finish lip 35 on theexposed external orf front surface of the cover plate contributesanattractive and uninterrupted appearance longitudinally of theinstallation.

When the cover plate I1 is elevated and secured by screws 33, thecontinuous sealing and cushioning element 36 of sponge rubber, felt orthe like which is disposed over the upper surface of the flanges 24 ofsections 2| act to 'protect the same against damage by vibration,

as well as to seal the assembly around its periphery against entry ofdust.

To complete the assembly of the lighting units in an elongatedarrangement characterized by its continuity of external appearance, apair of finished rounded end blocks 31 is applied to the exposed ends ofthe endmostunits or sections 2| of the assembly. These blocks areappropriately shaped to afford a pleasing streamlined externalappearance, the margins thereof being merged into the lateral and bottomsurfacesof said sections.

A slightly modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs.5, 6 and '7, although the general character of the' component parts issimilar to those found in the form of Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive; hence,said components are designated by the same reference numerals and willnot be again described in detail. In this form, relatively thick sealinglayers or strips 21 of sponge rubber or the like are arranged along theedges 26 of the section end wall 25 underneath the conformed clampingstrap, here designated 38. As illustrated in Fig. 6, an angle irondivision member 39 is interposed between said strap and one of thesealing strips 21, with the depending flange 4|] thereof paralleling andlying between adjacent end walls 25 of the light transmissive sections2|.

An aluminum pad 4| of T-shaped outline, as particularly illustrated inFig. 8, is positioned on each of the inwardly extending shoulders orlips 24' of the cover plate I1, with the central leg 42 thereofextending between the iianges 24 of the adjacent light transmissivesections 2|, said padY being secured to the upstanding rib 3| of coverl1 by means of a pair of spaced screws 43 tapped into holes 44 of thepad. The opposite ends of strap 38 are then secured to the pad 4|, bymeans of vertically extending screws 45 threaded into tapped openings 46in said opposed pads 4|, thereby securing the sealing strip 21 indust-tight relation to the cover plate.

A further compressible packing or sealing strip 41 is superposed overthe inner marginal edge of the cover plate opening 20, at the endsections f;

of the assembly, and clamped between the same and a felt retaining angle48. This structure affords an elongated lighting assembly of a lengthmany times the maximum practical length of the component lighttransmissive panels or sections 2|, but still characterized by a veryattractive continuity of external appearance, uninterrupted by visiblesupporting or sealing elements. Yet the assembly is closely sealedagainst entry of dust or dirt and aords maximum lighting eiiinally ofthe light sections 2|.

- 6 ciency throughout a long life. The arrangement of the lens facets,denoted 48', internally of the bottom panel v'22 of the section servesto direct concentrated rays of light from the elongated Afluorescentlight sources conventionally disposed in the socket and bracket fitting32 outwardly and downwardly toward the reading planes of passengersoccupying seats on either side of the vehicle aisle, thereby minimizingdisturbing glare directed at the passengers on the opposite side of theaisle.

It will be appreciated that I have provided an extremely elongatedlighting fixture characterized by a continuous and highly'attractiveexternal appearance, unmarred by exposed transverse supports for amultiplicity of component sections, and adapted to furnish a Veryeffective floodlighting of the vehicle interior by diffused light, aswell as illumination of reading areas therebeneath by a condensed beam,if such is desired. The parts are simple and inexpensive and wellprotected against damage, even under relatively rough usage, and ampleinsurance is had against entry and collection of dust inter- Theinvention surmounts the apparent limitation on the length of suchstructures which is imposed by existing practical limitations in the artof molding and pressing the light transmissive sections 2|, enabling theproduction of assembled fixtures of any desired length by the use ofstandard, relatively inexpensive and readily available components.

We claim:

1. A lighting unit comprising an elongated support having an elongatedopening, a plurality of hollow trough-like light transmission sectionseach of a length less than that of the support, said sections beingmounted in said opening and having means engaging said support tosustain the sections thereon in close end-to-end relation to oneanother, each of said sections having longitudinally extending sidewalls and parallel transverse end walls integrally connecting the sidewalls to define the hollow interior thereof, said end walls havingupwardly facing clamping surfaces, transverse clamping straps extendingacross said support in downward clamping relation to the clampingsurfaces of adjacent end walls of successive sections, and means toxedly secure the ends of said straps to said support to hold saidsections against displacement therefrom.

2. A lighting unit comprising an elongated support having an elongatedopening, a plurality of hollow trough-like light transmissive sectionseach of a length less than that of the support, said sections beingmounted in said opening and sustained by said support in close endto-endrelation to one another, each of said sections having longitudinallyextending side walls provided with means supportingly engageable withsaid movable support and parallel transverse end walls integrallyconnecting the side walls to define the hollow interior thereof, saidend walls having upwardly facing clamping surfaces, transverse clampingstraps extending across said support in downward clamping relation tothe clamping surfaces of adjacent end walls of successive sections,means to xedly secure the ends of said straps to said support to holdsaid sections against displacement therefrom, and compressible sealingmaterial clamped by said straps against said clamping surfaces todust-seal said sections adjacent the ends thereof.

3.. A lighting structure comprising a xed support having means topivotally mount the same .and having an elongated opening therein, aplurality of individual elongated trough-like light transmissivesections disposed in said opening in close end-to-end relation to oneanother, each of said sections having side Walls provided with outwardlydirected supporting flanges engaging said support to sustain thesections, and transverse upwardly extending end Walls integrallyconnecting the side walls, said end walls having upwardly facingclamping surfaces, clamping straps extending across said support indownward clamping relation to said clamping surfaces of successivesections, and means to xedly secure the ends of said straps to saidsupport to hold said sections against displacement therefrom.

ALBERT L ARENBERG. EDWARD C. ZIMMERMAN,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le o thispatent:

UNITED STATES PA'I'ENTS Number Name Date 2,167,383 Arenberg -..July 25,1939 2,259,152 Claspy Oct. 14, 1941 2,269,182 Claspy et al. Jan. 6, 19422,332,040 Zampol Oct. 19, 1943 2,335,736 Campen NOV. 30, 1943 2,434,049Nordquist Jan. 6, 1948 2,465,141 Wakefield Mar. 22, 1949

